Date:11/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/11/stories/2007101161351000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Bired begins courses

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Bankers’ Institute of Rural and Entrepreneurial Development (BIRED), a first of its kind initiative in country for providing unhindered access to skills in modern sustainable technologies for rural youth, was launched here on Tuesday.

Aimed at adopting multi-pronged approach to achieve comprehensive rural development, the institute would orient training programmes in much broader spectrum and enable trainees to utilise expertise of highest quality to improve their skills.

Set up under the joint sponsorship of five lead banks, the State Government and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, the institute devised systematic schedules for training courses and committees with eminent people would select the candidates.

Andhra Bank, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, State Bank of Hyderabad have come together to set up the institute and the Government expressed readiness to allot 17 acres land at Kethireddypally in Moinabad on the city outskirts free of cost. To be located on the Andhra Pradesh Academy for Rural Development till the infrastructural requirements are completed, candidates would be offered facilities like boarding & dormitory, course material, counselling & escort services for establishing micro enterprises and exposure visits to field free of cost. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy formally launched the first batch of the inaugural training programmes in Apparel Manufacturing and Home Nursing courses this morning.

He said the slogan Garibi Hatao (poverty eradication) was no more relevant in the present context where empowerment and skill development were the key factors.

Though Government institutions were offering several training programmes, the courses offered by the institute managed by banks would comprise business models to meet emerging needs.

Andhra Bank chairman and managing director K. Ramakrishnan explained the salient features of the institute and thanked the Chief Minister for giving rent free building to offer inaugural courses.

Rural Development Minister, G. Chinna Reddy wanted the institute to be permanently located on the APARD campus.